jsonfile vs write-json-file vs lowdb
JSON File Manipulation Comparison
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What's JSON File Manipulation?

JSON file manipulation libraries in Node.js provide tools for reading, writing, and updating JSON data stored in files. These libraries simplify tasks such as loading configuration settings, storing application state, or managing structured data in a file system. They handle the complexities of parsing JSON, serializing JavaScript objects, and ensuring data integrity during read and write operations. By using these libraries, developers can efficiently manage JSON data in their applications, whether for simple tasks or more complex data management needs.

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jsonfile63,476,1481,206-54 years agoMIT
write-json-file2,182,4722227.41 kB17 months agoMIT
lowdb945,16621,81322.9 kB13a year agoMIT
Feature Comparison: jsonfile vs write-json-file vs lowdb

File Reading and Writing

  • jsonfile:

    jsonfile provides simple methods for reading and writing JSON files. It handles parsing and stringifying JSON automatically, making it easy to work with JSON data without worrying about the underlying file operations.

  • write-json-file:

    write-json-file focuses on writing JSON files efficiently. It provides options for ensuring the output is well-formatted, and it can handle streams, making it suitable for writing large JSON data.

  • lowdb:

    lowdb allows for reading and writing JSON data with a more structured approach. It supports nested data and provides a simple API for querying and updating data, making it more versatile for managing complex JSON structures.

Data Structure

  • jsonfile:

    jsonfile works with plain JavaScript objects and arrays. It does not impose any structure on the data, allowing for flexibility in how JSON is organized.

  • write-json-file:

    write-json-file handles standard JSON data structures (objects and arrays) but does not provide any built-in support for managing or querying nested data.

  • lowdb:

    lowdb uses a JSON file as a database, allowing for more structured data management. It supports nested objects and arrays, enabling more complex data relationships.

Ease of Use

  • jsonfile:

    jsonfile is very easy to use, with a minimal API that requires little setup. It is ideal for quick tasks and simple projects where you need to read or write JSON files without any hassle.

  • write-json-file:

    write-json-file is straightforward for writing JSON files, especially when you need specific features like pretty-printing or ensuring directories exist. However, it is more specialized than the others.

  • lowdb:

    lowdb has a slightly steeper learning curve due to its database-like features, but it is still user-friendly. It is well-documented and provides a clear API for managing data.

Streaming Support

  • jsonfile:

    jsonfile does not support streaming for reading or writing files. It reads the entire file into memory, which can be a limitation for large files.

  • write-json-file:

    write-json-file supports streaming when writing files, allowing for more efficient handling of large data sets. This feature makes it a better choice for applications that need to write large amounts of data without consuming too much memory.

  • lowdb:

    lowdb also does not support streaming. It reads and writes the entire JSON file, which can be inefficient for large datasets but is manageable for small to medium-sized files.

Code Examples

  • jsonfile:

    Reading and Writing JSON with jsonfile

    const jsonfile = require('jsonfile');
const file = 'data.json';

// Write JSON to file
const obj = { name: 'Alice', age: 25 };
jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj)
  .then(() => console.log('Data written to file'))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

// Read JSON from file
jsonfile.readFile(file)
  .then(data => console.log('Data read from file:', data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));
  • write-json-file:

    Writing JSON with write-json-file

    const writeJsonFile = require('write-json-file');
const file = 'data.json';
const data = { name: 'Alice', age: 25 };

// Write JSON to file
writeJsonFile(file, data, { indent: 2 })
  .then(() => console.log('Data written to file'))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));
  • lowdb:

    Using lowdb for Simple Data Storage

    const { Low, JSONFile } = require('lowdb');
const file = 'db.json';
const adapter = new JSONFile(file);
const db = new Low(adapter);

// Read data
await db.read();

// Set default data if empty
if (!db.data) db.data = { users: [] };

// Add a user
db.data.users.push({ name: 'Alice', age: 25 });
await db.write();

console.log('User added:', db.data);
How to Choose: jsonfile vs write-json-file vs lowdb
  • jsonfile:

    Choose jsonfile if you need a simple and straightforward solution for reading and writing JSON files. It is lightweight and easy to use, making it ideal for quick tasks and small projects.

  • write-json-file:

    Choose write-json-file if you need a focused solution for writing JSON files with options for pretty-printing, ensuring directories exist, and handling file streams. It is particularly useful when you want more control over the writing process.

  • lowdb:

    Choose lowdb if you require a simple, file-based database with support for reading and writing JSON data. It provides a more structured way to manage data with a simple API, making it suitable for small to medium-sized applications.

Similar Npm Packages to jsonfile

jsonfile is a simple and convenient Node.js package for reading and writing JSON files. It provides a straightforward API that allows developers to easily manage JSON data stored in files, making it a popular choice for applications that require persistent storage of structured data. While jsonfile is effective for basic file operations, there are other libraries that offer similar or extended functionalities. Here are a few alternatives:

  • lowdb is a small local JSON database powered by Lodash. It is designed for simplicity and ease of use, allowing developers to create a lightweight database with minimal setup. Lowdb is particularly useful for applications that need to store and retrieve data in a structured format without the overhead of a full-fledged database system. It supports various data manipulation methods and can be a great choice for projects that require a quick and easy way to manage data without complex configurations.
  • write-json-file is a focused library that specifically handles writing JSON data to files. It provides a simple API for writing JSON objects to files, ensuring that the data is properly formatted and saved. While it is more specialized than jsonfile, it can be a good option if your primary need is to write JSON data to files without additional features like reading or managing data structures.

To see how jsonfile compares with lowdb and write-json-file, check out the comparison: Comparing jsonfile vs lowdb vs write-json-file.

Similar Npm Packages to lowdb

lowdb is a small local JSON database for Node.js and the browser. It is designed to be simple and easy to use, allowing developers to create a lightweight database without the overhead of a full-fledged database system. With lowdb, you can read and write data in JSON format, making it a great choice for applications that require a quick and straightforward way to manage data without complicated setup or configuration.

While lowdb is a solid option for local data storage, there are several alternatives that may better suit specific use cases:

  • jsonfile is a simple library for reading and writing JSON files in Node.js. It provides a straightforward API to handle JSON file operations, making it easy to manage data in a file-based format. If your application primarily needs to read from and write to JSON files without the need for a full database, jsonfile can be a suitable choice.
  • localforage is a library that provides a simple API for storing data in the browser. It abstracts the storage mechanism and allows developers to use a consistent API for various storage backends, including IndexedDB, WebSQL, and localStorage. If you need to store data in the browser and want to take advantage of asynchronous storage capabilities, localforage is an excellent option.
  • nedb is a lightweight embedded database for Node.js that is similar to MongoDB. It provides a simple API for CRUD operations and supports querying and indexing. If you require more advanced database features such as indexing and querying while still keeping a lightweight footprint, nedb is a great alternative to lowdb.
  • pouchdb is an open-source JavaScript database that syncs with CouchDB. It is designed for building applications that require offline capabilities and data synchronization. If your application needs to work offline and sync data with a remote database, pouchdb is a powerful choice that offers robust features for data management.

For a comprehensive comparison of these packages, check out the following link: Comparing jsonfile vs localforage vs lowdb vs nedb vs pouchdb.

README for jsonfile

Node.js - jsonfile

Easily read/write JSON files in Node.js. Note: this module cannot be used in the browser.

npm Package build status windows Build status

Standard JavaScript

Why?

Writing JSON.stringify() and then fs.writeFile() and JSON.parse() with fs.readFile() enclosed in try/catch blocks became annoying.

Installation

npm install --save jsonfile

API

readFile(filename, [options], callback)

options (object, default undefined): Pass in any fs.readFile options or set reviver for a JSON reviver.

  • throws (boolean, default: true). If JSON.parse throws an error, pass this error to the callback. If false, returns null for the object.
const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')
const file = '/tmp/data.json'
jsonfile.readFile(file, function (err, obj) {
  if (err) console.error(err)
  console.dir(obj)
})

You can also use this method with promises. The readFile method will return a promise if you do not pass a callback function.

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')
const file = '/tmp/data.json'
jsonfile.readFile(file)
  .then(obj => console.dir(obj))
  .catch(error => console.error(error))

readFileSync(filename, [options])

options (object, default undefined): Pass in any fs.readFileSync options or set reviver for a JSON reviver.

  • throws (boolean, default: true). If an error is encountered reading or parsing the file, throw the error. If false, returns null for the object.
const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')
const file = '/tmp/data.json'

console.dir(jsonfile.readFileSync(file))

writeFile(filename, obj, [options], callback)

options: Pass in any fs.writeFile options or set replacer for a JSON replacer. Can also pass in spaces, or override EOL string or set finalEOL flag as false to not save the file with EOL at the end.

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj, function (err) {
  if (err) console.error(err)
})

Or use with promises as follows:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj)
  .then(res => {
    console.log('Write complete')
  })
  .catch(error => console.error(error))

formatting with spaces:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj, { spaces: 2 }, function (err) {
  if (err) console.error(err)
})

overriding EOL:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj, { spaces: 2, EOL: '\r\n' }, function (err) {
  if (err) console.error(err)
})

disabling the EOL at the end of file:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj, { spaces: 2, finalEOL: false }, function (err) {
  if (err) console.log(err)
})

appending to an existing JSON file:

You can use fs.writeFile option { flag: 'a' } to achieve this.

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/mayAlreadyExistedData.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj, { flag: 'a' }, function (err) {
  if (err) console.error(err)
})

writeFileSync(filename, obj, [options])

options: Pass in any fs.writeFileSync options or set replacer for a JSON replacer. Can also pass in spaces, or override EOL string or set finalEOL flag as false to not save the file with EOL at the end.

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFileSync(file, obj)

formatting with spaces:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFileSync(file, obj, { spaces: 2 })

overriding EOL:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFileSync(file, obj, { spaces: 2, EOL: '\r\n' })

disabling the EOL at the end of file:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFileSync(file, obj, { spaces: 2, finalEOL: false })

appending to an existing JSON file:

You can use fs.writeFileSync option { flag: 'a' } to achieve this.

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/mayAlreadyExistedData.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFileSync(file, obj, { flag: 'a' })

License

(MIT License)

Copyright 2012-2016, JP Richardson jprichardson@gmail.com

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